Wales face Japan in the first of a two-Test series in the Far East
Wales are back in international action on Saturday with a win very much on the agenda.
It doesn’t really need to be said again but Wales are on a 17-Test losing streak at present and haven’t won since 2023, with back-to-back Six Nations wooden spoons recorded in that time.
Last time out they were humbled on their own patch by England and wounds will still be gaping from that 14-68 scoreline.
Matt Sherratt once again takes the reins this summer on an interim basis, having taken charge of the final three games of the 2025 Six Nations following Warren Gatland’s mid-tournament departure.
Sherratt, along with his coaches, has been working Dewi Lake and Co hard in order to prepare them for the oppressive Japanese heat which will hit them this weekend. As such, there will be a 20-minute half-time in Kitakyushu.
The hosts are one place behind Wales in the world rankings and the results of these two Test matches could have big implications for both teams.
Here is everything you need to know about the clash in the Far East.
What time is Japan v Wales kick-off?
Japan v Wales kicks off at 6am UK time (2pm local) at the Mikuni World Stadium, Kitakyushu, on Saturday, July 5.
Is the game on TV?
Yes, it is, and it’s available for free, too.
After a long delay in confirmation, the BBC and S4C have picked up the rights for this two-Test series.
The first Test will be shown on BBC One Wales, with the second on S4C.
You’ll be able to stream the matches on BBC iPlayer.
What have the coaches said?
Eddie Jones: “We know Kitakyushu is going to be difficult conditions for both teams and the team that handles the conditions the best will win the game.
“We have had good preparation in the heat to play against Wales in those conditions and we could not have asked for more.
“It has been 32C every time we have trained. The ball is like a cake of soap and we have wet the field, so it has made the conditions difficult for the players.
“We can’t do any more heat acclimatisation than we have done, so we are ready to go.”
Matt Sherratt: “We’ve had a very good build-up. We tried to give everyone a fair chance of selection. One of the key messages was it’s going to be a 23-man job. So, we’ve tried to spread the experience out in terms of getting some experience coming off the bench.
“I think an 80-minute performance, that physical edge and making sure that we transfer training into the game is going to be the biggest thing for us.
“It’s going to be humid. It’s going to be hot. Japan traditionally play quite a fast brand of rugby, so us getting up to speed with that is going to be key.
“We’ve seen from just being around Kitakyushu this last week, there seems to be a real affinity between some of the Japanese locals and the Welsh team. Hopefully it will be fantastic on Saturday.”
Confirmed teams
Japan: Takuro Matsunaga; Kippei Ishida, Dylan Riley, Shogo Nakano, Malo Tuitama; Seungsin Lee, Shinobu Fujiwara; Yota Kamimori, Mamoru Harada, Shuhei Takeuchi, Epineri Uluiviti, Warner Deans, Michael Leitch (capt), Jack Cornelsen, Amato Fakatava.
Replacements: Hayate Era, Sena Kimura, Keijiro Tamefusa, Waisake Raratubua, Ben Gunter, Shuntaro Kitamura, Ichigo Nakakusu, Halatoa Vailea.
Wales: Blair Murray; Tom Rogers, Johnny Williams, Ben Thomas, Josh Adams; Sam Costelow, Kieran Hardy; Nicky Smith, Dewi Lake (capt), Keiron Assiratti, Ben Carter, Teddy Williams, Alex Mann, Josh Macleod, Taulupe Faletau.
Replacements: Liam Belcher, Gareth Thomas, Archie Griffin, James Ratti, Aaron Wainwright, Tommy Reffell, Rhodri Williams, Joe Roberts.
